Jordan Catalana
2:04:35
This is Jordan Catalana, and I've lived within the general AIM UP surrounding neighborhood for the last ten, eleven years.
2:04:42
And I'm testifying in support of the AIM UP plan, but recognizing the calls of my c b eight, members and, some city council members here to increase the percentage of affordable housing, increase displacement measures, and to have access to the, use of the mixed use zoning tools.
2:05:00
I cross Atlantic Avenue at Bedford every day.
2:05:03
The traffic is fast.
2:05:05
There are no curb cuts on the sidewalk.
2:05:07
There is no place for bikes and nearly no place for pedestrians when the sidewalks are cluttered with cars from the one story auto body shops and car washes.
2:05:15
Last night, I walked Dean Street East from Vanderbilt to Nostrand, precisely where most of this plan is slated, And what you see are empty parking lots, one store one storey storage and trucking facilities, and abandoned manufacturing locations.
2:05:30
But what I also see is opportunity for our community.
2:05:33
Over the last three years, we've seen tall buildings pop up around Dean, Pacific, Atlantic, and Fulton, and guess what?
2:05:38
We still need more.
2:05:40
I echo CB eight's call for the use of the mixed use zoning tool and think that AIM UP otherwise does a good job of thinking of the real people that live here and what their needs are in housing and safety and in job opportunities.
2:05:51
We're lucky that this neighborhood is one of the few with this space, the physical space, and the patients and the leaders to address those needs.
2:05:59
And, again, with our leaders in in, councilman Osei, Hudson, CBA, and others that are curious enough to address them.
2:06:07
And I look to the leadership to make sure there are enough affordable housing units and urge you to remember that the best way to get folks into affordable apartments is to build apartments in the first place, and AIM UP does this.
2:06:18
Gas stations don't house people.
2:06:20
Auto body shops don't house people.
2:06:21
Parking lots don't house people.
2:06:23
Housing houses people.
2:06:25
Thank you for your time.
